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What Water Lock does
Water Lock prevents unintended taps and other display input caused by water. While it is active, normal touchscreen interaction is disabled, and Double Tap and wrist-flick gestures do not work. When you turn Water Lock off, the watch plays tones that help eject residual water from the speaker.
Water Lock is not a seal, a stronger depth rating, or a waterproofing mode. It cannot make an unsuitable watch or activity safe. See Apple’s feature instructions at Apple Support.
How to turn on Water Lock manually
- Wake the watch if necessary.
- Press the side button to open Control Center.
- Tap the Water Lock button.
- Look for the Water Lock icon at the top of the watch face.
The icon and non-responsive touchscreen confirm that the lock is active. On older software, Apple’s interface may differ: the older Control Center gesture of touching and holding the bottom of the screen and swiping up applies to watchOS 9 or earlier guidance.
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![Apple Watch SE 3 [GPS 40mm] Smartwatch with Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Band - S/M. Fitness and Sleep Trackers, Heart Rate Monitor, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31YiTby0pOL._SL160_.jpg)
- GET SMARTER HEALTH INSIGHTS—Apple Watch SE 3 is an advanced health tracker that helps you better understand your body. The smartwatch sends alerts for an irregular heart rhythm, or an unusually high or low heart rate.* You can view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app,* track your sleep score, and get sleep apnea notifications.*
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- KEEP HELP CLOSE AT HAND—SE 3 is a smartwatch that can detect a hard fall or severe car crash and automatically help connect you to emergency services and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- WOMEN’S HEALTH INSIGHTS—SE 3 has advanced sensors that track your wrist temperature while you sleep. With this smartwatch, you can log your periods and symptoms, get period predictions, and get notified of cycle deviations.*
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For Apple’s Control Center reference, see Apple Watch User Guide.
How to turn off Water Lock and eject water
- Press and hold the Digital Crown.
- Keep holding until the display says Unlocked.
- Wait while the watch plays its series of tones.
- Use the touchscreen normally once the sequence ends.
The tones target water in the speaker; they do not prove that every part of the watch is dry. On watchOS 8 or earlier, rotate the Digital Crown instead of pressing and holding it. Apple describes the same unlock-and-clear sequence for swimming workouts in its workout guide.
When Water Lock turns on automatically
Water Lock can activate without a manual tap in supported situations:
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![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Light Blush Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31caPPnRysL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
- Starting a water workout such as Pool Swim, Open Water Swim, or Surfing.
- Starting a scuba dive on Apple Watch Ultra.
- On Apple Watch Ultra or later, automatic activation when the watch is submerged to a depth of 10 centimeters or lower, according to Apple’s water-resistance guidance.
A splash does not mean every Apple Watch will automatically lock. Automatic behavior depends on the workout and supported Ultra settings.
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No. Apple calls Apple Watch water-resistant, not waterproof. Water resistance can diminish with age or impact, and Apple says it cannot test or reseal the watch’s water resistance. Water Lock changes input behavior; it does not change the hardware rating.
Apple advises avoiding impacts, soap and soapy water, perfume, solvents, detergents, acids, lotions, sunscreen, oil, hair dye, insect repellent and similar chemicals. Avoid cliff or high diving, steam rooms, and high-velocity water on models other than Ultra or later. Apple Watch Ultra or later should not be used in a sauna above 55°C (130°F).
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![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/416RQ0rtsUL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
Which Apple Watch models can go in water?
| Model category | Apple’s general guidance |
|---|---|
| First-generation Apple Watch and Series 1 | IPX7 under IEC 60529; splash and water resistance only. Submerging is not recommended. |
| Series 2 and later | 50-meter water-resistance rating under ISO 22810:2010. Suitable for shallow-water activities such as pool or ocean swimming, but not diving, water skiing, or high-velocity water activities unless the model is Ultra or later. |
| Apple Watch Ultra and later | 100-meter rating under ISO 22810:2010 and EN13319 compliance. Apple provides additional guidance for high-speed water use and recreational scuba diving to 40 meters (130 feet), subject to its safety instructions. |
These ratings are not universal permission for every water condition. Follow the model-specific limits in Apple’s water-resistance guidance.
Check the band before entering water
A watch may be suitable for swimming while the attached band is not. Apple identifies these bands as not water-resistant:
- Magnetic Link
- Modern Buckle with FineWoven
- Leather Link
- Modern Buckle with leather
- Milanese Loop
- Link Bracelet
- Hermès leather and knit bands
Check the material of your specific band separately before swimming, showering, or surfing.
Rank #4
![Apple Watch SE 3 [GPS 40mm] Smartwatch with Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band - S/M. Fitness and Sleep Trackers, Heart Rate Monitor, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31Gq8SToFJL._SL160_.jpg)
- GET SMARTER HEALTH INSIGHTS—Apple Watch SE 3 is an advanced health tracker that helps you better understand your body. The smartwatch sends alerts for an irregular heart rhythm, or an unusually high or low heart rate.* You can view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app,* track your sleep score, and get sleep apnea notifications.*
- A GREAT FITNESS TRACKER—SE 3 can track your workouts in a healthy number of ways—from running and strength training to simply achieving your 10K steps a day. With real-time metrics and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone,* you’ll hit your goals like never before.
- KEEP HELP CLOSE AT HAND—SE 3 is a smartwatch that can detect a hard fall or severe car crash and automatically help connect you to emergency services and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- WOMEN’S HEALTH INSIGHTS—SE 3 has advanced sensors that track your wrist temperature while you sleep. With this smartwatch, you can log your periods and symptoms, get period predictions, and get notified of cycle deviations.*
- GREAT BATTERY LIFE AND FASTER CHARGING—Enjoy a smartwatch with all-day, 18-hour battery life* from sunup to sundown. Then charge up to twice as fast as SE 2* and get up to 8 hours of battery in just 15 minutes.*
After pool or salt-water exposure
For Series 2 and later, Apple recommends gently rinsing the watch with lightly running, warm, fresh water after swimming. Thoroughly dry both the watch and band with a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth. Do not soak the watch in cleaning fluid or use soap.
If the speaker sounds muffled
- Turn off Water Lock with the Digital Crown and let the ejection tones play.
- Wipe the watch with a lint-free cloth.
- Allow additional time for evaporation if audio remains muffled.
Do not shake the watch, apply external heat, use compressed air or sprays, or insert anything into speaker or microphone openings. Apple notes that charging overnight may speed evaporation, but it is not a guaranteed drying method.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If Water Lock will not turn off
The screen seems frozen
A screen that ignores taps is usually still locked. Press and hold the Digital Crown rather than tapping the display. On watchOS 8 or earlier, rotate the Crown.
Best Value
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41s72HIk5TL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
The Digital Crown is hard to move
Debris or dried residue can restrict the Crown. Apple’s cleaning procedure is to hold the Crown under lightly running, warm, fresh water while continuously rotating and pressing it, then dry the watch with a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth. Do not use soap or other cleaning products. Follow Apple’s full instructions at Digital Crown cleaning guidance.
The speaker remains muffled
After the tones and careful drying, give the watch more time to evaporate. Do not probe openings or use heat or compressed air. If controls still fail after the watch is dry and the Crown is clean, contact Apple or an authorized service provider.
Apple Watch Ultra diving note
Diving is a separate, advanced use case. In the Depth app, the screen locks while submerged. Depending on configuration, a dive can end by pressing and holding the Digital Crown, using a configured Action button, or automatically after the watch has been out of the water for 10 minutes. Apple’s dedicated instructions are at Apple Watch Ultra Depth app guide. Do not apply these scuba procedures to standard Apple Watch models.
Quick Recap
Quick pre-water checklist
- Confirm your model’s water-use guidance.
- Use a band Apple identifies as water-resistant.
- Start the appropriate water workout when relevant, or enable Water Lock from Control Center.
- Afterward, unlock with the Digital Crown and let the speaker tones finish.
- Rinse Series 2 and later with warm, fresh running water after pool or salt-water exposure, then dry with a lint-free cloth.
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